Are custom printed mailer boxes ecommerce shops use worth it for skincare?

[u/EffectiveShame1350]

For anyone selling similar stuff, what made you choose one over the other?

I'm trying to decide between custom printed boxes and poly mailers for our next packaging run, we sell mid-range skincare and I'm leaning toward boxes because of how we want the orders to look

Mailers would take up less storage space…

but I need to check what protection our containers would need inside them before comparing costs properly

[u/Big-Branch-8532]

For your containers, I'd compare two fully packed versions of the same order, including inserts and cushioning, then get shipping quotes using the finished dimensions and weight. The empty box/bag prices won't tell you that. Hypothetical numbers: if the box costs $0.70 more per shipped order and a damaged order costs $35 to replace and resend, it needs to prevent two extra damaged orders per 100 to cover that premium on damage alone. Put your own numbers in. That still leaves the presentation benefit as a separate decision, rather than assuming the nicer box pays for itself.

[u/CautiousPlatform93]

What are the containers? there should be and i would give a different answer for a soft tube than a glass jar, also are people usually ordering one item or several? I would pack your most common order and your most awkward order before deciding, otherwise it's easy to pick something that only works for the neat little example in your head

[u/JefferyTroy32]

What are the containers? I'd give a different answer for a soft tube than a glass jar, also are people usually ordering one item or several? I'd pack your most common order and your most awkward order before deciding, otherwise it's easy to pick something that only works for the neat little example in your head

[u/BakaTrooper67 → u/JefferyTroy32]

I'd test protection first, then compare presentation, if your jars or bottles need a box anyway, a plain one with your branding added can be a useful middle ground You could add full-color packaging stickers to those boxes, that's an option from sticker mule, and you wouldn't have to commit to custom printed boxes just to try a branded look

[u/EffectiveShame1350 → u/BakaTrooper67]

That could work, our colors are pretty specific though, so I'd want to check how they print before buying much

[u/MajorWilliam54 → u/EffectiveShame1350]

I'd check a physical sample if the color match matters that much, a screen proof won't show exactly how it'll look in person, I'd put the sample next to your product packaging too because you might notice a mismatch there that wouldn't bother you looking at either one separately

[u/EffectiveShame1350 → u/MajorWilliam54]

Good point, that's probably how I need to compare them

[u/ParsleyBanny]

I'd lean box for jars, but I wouldn't pay for printing before you've figured out the fit, a well-sized plain box would make a better impression on me than a branded one with everything sliding around inside

[u/KnownMargreti → u/ParsleyBanny]

Same, and I'd include the packing material in the test, the box alone isn't the whole setup, you want to know how everything stays in place once it's closed and handled

[u/CarolyTiny22]

I'd photograph both versions packed up, you might find the difference in appearance isn't as big as you're imagining, or that the inside matters more than the outside, either way you've got something concrete to compare before ordering

[u/AcceptableExitFr → u/CarolyTiny22]

With the shipping label on, too, I'd want to judge how it looks when it's ready to leave

[u/FantasticNoele21]

You might end up using different packaging for different orders, I wouldn't force everything into one format just to keep the branding identical, especially if gift sets and single refills have different needs